Poncho Up, Chicas! DISmoms 5, May 2-6, 2013 Updates Galore 12/9

Welcome Back faithful reader peeps and welcome welcome to anyone new! We are back with another joint TR from another CRAZEEEE fun DISmoms trip! I'm Ellen, and I have been lucky enough to travel to WDW 5 times (well, really 6, but that was pre-DISmoms) with a great group of various DISmoms for some fun and relaxation away from our hubbies and kids. This year, we were a group of 4...sometimes 5....one night, 6....spending 1 night at OKW, and 3 nights at AKV Jambo CL. Here is our main cast of characters-

From left to right, that's anewmac (Drea) on her first DISmoms tour of duty, Lonnie (who was my college roommate and MOH- she has been with me every year, even that first un-official one!), me, and Crsdismom (Laura) who was here for her second go-round. We were also joined by a few others along the way....most of all, wannabeadismom (Joan) my dear friend from home who had been with us on 3 prior trips- this year, though, she was with her DH celebrating their 20th anniversary while watching their kids perform all over WDW with our High School Band & chorus. Here's Joanie in an Ellen-Drea sandwich-

And we had dinner one night with nenner1 (Jen)-

Also spent several hours with a certain jedijill who didn't know WHAT she was getting herself into when she said yes to our DISmeet in the Ditch, lol-

I love that picture! There were also 2 more very special meets- one with a DISser who I have wanted to meet FOR EVER, and one with a brand new little mouseketeer- but you'll have to be patient for those!

So I hope you'll come along with us while we relive this CRAZEEEEE ride!

Our trip began with Drea and I- well, I guess technically it began with Drea by herself the night before. I arrived at MCO at about 10am, a little early, and thankful the whole sequester situation was resolved just a couple of days before I flew. THAT was a HUGE relief! So....within no time at all, I was on the first thrill ride of the trip-

Yea- that's right, it was raining. But let's face it- a rainy day in WDW is better than a rainy day pretty much anywhere else, so....so what? Half an hour later, we were arriving at....

Drea and I would be staying at OKW tonight, then moving over to AKV CL where we would be joined by Lonnie and Laura for 3 nights. The reason for all this was...that originally we had planned to go to AKV for 2 nights then go on the Dream again for 4 nights- Drea, me and Kara. Lonnie and Laura were going to stay an extra night at AKV so that was why we had the 3 nights booked there. A few months into our plans, Kara found out she would have to work while the cruise was supposed to go on. So....we cancelled our cruise and switched to a WDW trip. At that point, AKV CL was sold out (as it usually is- there are VERY few CL villas available, so I always feel very lucky when I can get it, even with my AKV points and an 11 month booking window) so we booked a night at OKW. Sadly, that didn't work out, in the end, for Kara either, she cancelled out a month before the trip, so we would have to miss her this time around. Anywho....... the DME stopped FIRST at OKW, gotta LOVE that!!

I checked my carry ons, broke into my OL and got out a poncho for Miss Drea, and walked around enjoying the Jimmy Buffet tunes until she showed up on a bus from DTD.

That bus took FOREVER!!!! I encouraged Drea to take one for the team and do whatever she could to make that driver hustle up, but sadly, nothing seemed to be working with that particular driver. I think Drea was standing pretty much right next to me for about 5 minutes before we noticed each other. DREA!!!!! Wow, was it great to meet her- we have been chatting on here and texting for YEARS and this was our first time meeting. FINALLY!!!! It was AWESOME to give her a hug!! Very quickly, a bus to EPCOT pulled up, and soon we were posing for the first time together-

We made a beeline to WS, passing through-

in the land of-

We hoofed it over to France, where the special slushie at the special F&G booth was calling our names- ◾La Vie en Rose Frozen Slush (Grey Goose Vodka Orange, St. Germain liquor with White and Red Cranberry Juice)

Yea, that one would call our names more than once on this trip. BEST SLUSHIE EVER BY FARRRRRRRRR! We were also hungry, so we split Tarte à la ratatouille et fromage de chèvre (Zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, onions and tomato tart with goat cheese)

It was all very nice, and we found a table in the drizzle to eat it up-

Walking on, we met a Princess who warned us to stay away from a horrible man named Gaston-

Then it was time for a little more snacking in Morocco at Taste of Marrakesh. We shared both ◾Spiced Lamb Kebab with Vegetable Couscous Salad and ◾Harissa and Lemon Confit Chicken Drumettes with chermoula and cucumber salad

I LOVED the couscous, even though it was surprisingly cold, and I could have snarfed down a big bowl of it, given the chance. Of COURSE, we needed something to wash it down with, so we tried ◾Desert Rose  Sparkling Wine with Pomegranate liqueur

CHEERS!

We kept going-

Artichoke!

Ending up in Tutto Gusto with a couple of wine flights. I DID keep the little menu for TR purposes, but it got drencehed along with everything & one else later that day. Oops!

Moving on, we continued to enjoy the F&G ambience- the park was especially beautiful this year, even in the rain.

Yay, I made page one, super. OMG, those pink drinks look fabulous! I want one of the slushies, but am never there at the right time. The wine looked so refreshing as did the wine flight. I think I need to open a bottle ASAP!

So, we did have a purpose to our steps- I forgot to mention that on the way into the park, we stopped to pick up FPs at Soarin, and it was just about time for them. On the way, we enjoyed the sights-

We decided to swing by Test Track first to see if the single rider line would work out for us-

But TT was down, so then we went for Mission Space,

But whatever they said the wait time was for this ride, they were WAAAAAY off (A common theme on this trip- Drea has a theory about it, I think maybe she's right! Tell them Drea!) so after waiting 10 minutes and barely moving into the building, we got out of line and headed over to The Land. Where 5 minutes before our FPs, the CM let us in. SWEET! (I hate this regimented riding).

It's Puddy time!

So, Drea is a Cali girl, and I am going to Cali this summer on our BIG family trip, so the entire time I alternated between asking her "Where's this one?" to "I'm going there this summer!"

FWIW, her answer was usually "I don't know!" except when we went over DL- she was pretty clear on THAT.

I also decided to amuse myself by taking some non-flash vacation toe pics-

Look toes in the snow! Where's that Drea?

Golf toes-

But the ride Drea really wanted to go on was not Soarin- it was-

They really liked us at Livin with the Land- they let us drive the boat! They never let us drive at Soarin- we ALWAYS get the back seat on that one!

The Brussels sprouts are huge!!!

The Cali girl likey!

Tilapia-

So yeah, we were done in the Land, and, of COURSE, people were coming in in droves, because...it was torrentially downpouring.

So what? Torrentially pouring in WDW is better than torrentially pouring at home, so poncho up, ladies! (except we weren't saying this yet- but we said it so much, that I have to say it now- even if it doesn't make any sense.).

Well, we had plans to keep- ya see, my town's High School Band was going to march down Main Street, and I was VERY grateful Drea didn't mind (thanks girlfriend ). I personally did not have any kids marching, but I knew enough who were, and it was something not to be missed! Because of that, we had an early ADR at the Wave, which would be followed by a monorail to MK. First, though, there was this-

Looks like there were a few raindrops on my camera lens- oh bother-

Nothing says happiness like a hot wet sweaty poncho!

Did you notice Drea's hat? She made it herself- both Drea and Laura are EXTREMELY crafty, and we were showered with their talents throughout the trip- lucky us! Here we go-

So, I was not wearing a poncho, I was wearing rain gear- which is usually AWESOME, except....when it torrentially downpours. THEN I get wet. So wet, in fact, that my pants were soaked through. But I had to suck it up, we had to get to the Contemporary- where I hoped I could buy new pants....but, unless I was a size xs or size xl, there would be no new warm pants for me today. And in case you haven't noticed, I am not either of those sizes (although I thought about the xls, but they were like 5 inches too long, so ummmm....no). Bummer dude. That Contemporary is one c-c-c-c-c-cold hotel!

Hello all.. Im Drea (anewmac) finally off work (man it sure gets in the way of all the good stuff) and now have time to add my 50cents worth to catch up with El....

But 1st I think I need to take on a ride in my Delorian and go Back to the Future! Let you know how this trip got planned I really think its a great story (and not just cuz it involves me!)

So one day (not in band camp!) June 1, 2012 exactly, Im thinking man I would love to join those wild and crazy girls! Ive been reading their reports and we have text eachother on other vacations etc. Then as Im at the dentist to have my wisdom teeth taken out as Im waiting for the good stuff (laughing gas) to kick in.. Im reading the last trippy (the dream cruise) and I text El and say next Dismoms trip "IM IN!". I think we must have gone back and forth a few times,
El- "you sure?"
Me- "Ya Totally!",
El- "no really are you sure?"
Me- "Yes Im there!"

Why she didnt believe me I have no clue, I mean would you trust someone that just posted this on Facebook... lol

Well a few days later she text me again once I was um.. off the juice. To verify. Thats when I announced YES Im still in. The rest was history! Untill they mentioned about having to do an initiation into their lil crew Then I started rethinking things LMAO

Fast forward to May 1st 2013, I was heading down a day early. I was going to red eye it and get there at the same time as El (and Kara) but by the time I went to book the price shot up $200. So instead I booked to fly on Weds and just get a room at All Star Music with military discount (Im married to a US Marine if yall havent read my prior reports [those that are finished LOL]) Which ended up being a better idea since Im all the way on the other coast it gave me a chance to relaxe and start my trip our correctly!

it aint water or sprite kids Ill tell you that!

My lil buddy Elfis was making the trip out there too with his girlfriend Barb (to read more about him check out his blog http://vivalaselfis.blogspot.com/ ) (DONT JUDGE ME PLEASE LOL)

I flew out of Sunny San Diego at 1030am and was SUPPOSED to land at 730pm Mickey Time! Thanks to Laura's great idea I stocked up on some in flight beverages!

Its a good thing I did too because as soon as we sat in our seats the pilot came on and said the Flux Capasitor was broken and we would be changing planes

2hours later we were on our way in our new ride

My plan was to get to All Star check in and head to DTD to acctivate my Military tix, and get a beverage (cuz Im sure I would be parched by then!) But thanks to the falangy breaking on the plane. I didnt get to my resort till past 11pm BOO. I did get to drive the DME buss (not literally as in front seat!) and saw this exciting site!

When I checked in I asked the gal how I would transfer to Old Key West, I guess the english to japanesse translation was off and she was telling me 7hours to get down to Key West.. no hun the resort ohhh LMAO, she got her manager and he told me where to take my luggage. I head to my room and find this waiting for me.

and since I had a few flight provisions left I made myself a beverage, while enjoying watching The Suite Life of Zack and Cody reruns.

Seriously it took me like 5mins to realize I was watching a kids shows and my kids werent there. Then I sort of felt bad and called them (NEVER DO THIS.. oh the guilt, for about 2seconds! LOL) P (my 14yr old ds) says nana (my mom, who was helping watch them while DH was working) said you went to Dland.. NOPE I didnt go to Dland. whispers WDW. To which I hear WHAT why couldnt we go. I proceeded to tell him WELL no kids or dads are going, its just a time for moms to get together, relaxe, rejuvinate to be better moms. Where P then says MAYBE you should take us so we can be better kids! LMAO maybe I will again, someday. He passed the phone to J (my 10yr old ds) and he told me that it was jacked up I left them to go see Mickey without them and I said ya I know.. Ok Night love you. HAHA Then poured myself another drink, you know cuz I was so distrought that I left them HA! Finally I hit the rack as tmrw would be a big day and the next few days too!